“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ” (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

Abba Hyperichius said, “Praise God continally with spiritual hymns and always remain in meditation, and in this way you will be able to bear the burden of the temptations that come upon you. A traveller who is carrying a heavy load pauses from time to time and draws in deep breaths; it makes the journey easier and the burden lighter.”

When abba Apollo heard the sound of singing from the monks who welcomed us, he greeted us according to the custom which all monks follow… He first lay prostrate on the ground, then got up and kissed us and having brought us in, he prayed for us; then, after washing our feet with his own hands, he invited us to partake of some refreshment…

One could see his monks were filled with joy and a bodily contentment such as one cannot see on earth. For nobody among them was gloomy or downcast.

If anyone did appear a little downcast, abba Apollo at once asked him the reason, and told each one what was in the secret recesses of his heart. He used to say, “Those who are going to inherit the Kingdom of heaven must not be despondent about their salvation… we who have been considered worthy of so great a hope, how shall we not rejoice without ceasing, since the Apostle urges us always, “Rejoice evermore.Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” (1 Thes. 5:18)